You know, if you think about it, there are suddenlyu more
people submitting to the Synopses List
I don't have a clue why ? ^_^
Anyway, another installment complete with SLR addenda
articles. I'd also like to hear from other authors on the FFML
Whether essay or rant, as long as it's written in the English
language, following all rules of grammar and format.
Well, time to dance.
Disclaimer:
The alien mind probe in no way influences my judgment.
All opinions and review are mine when specified.
Main Synopses List Reviewer:
Elsa Bibat
Next week:
Glazius Falconar
The FFML Synopses List
======================
For the week of: March 10, 2000
Moderator on Duty: Sean Connor
Synopses Submitted: 17
* * * * *
[Evangelion]
- - - - -
Title: Rei's Birthday Present
Chapter: part 3
Series: EVA
Genre: drama
Author: Chris Burke
Email: wyrm@engin.umich.edu
Homepage: http://www.umich.edu/~wyrm/abp/fanfic.html
Date Sent to FFML: March 11, 2000
Size: 38K
Series Summary:
Rei gets a birthday present that could change her life.
Episode Summary:
Rei's puppy gets a name. Shinji gets embarassed. Misato gets to talk
to Ritsuko. The series gets a new characetr. Rei gets in trouble.
Gendo gets screen time.
Review:
A really cute piece. But not that cute. You can call it WAFFy-lite. The
emotional introspection and character presentation of Rei is incredible.
No major grammar mistakes or formatting errors.
This is the sort of thing I joined the FFML for.
Keep up the good work.
* * * * *
[Original]
- - - - -
Title: A Thousand Steps Begin With a Single Journey
Chapter: Part 2, Chapter 35
Series: Macho Caballo
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Author: James and the Bluejay
Email: jeeades@wanderway.com
Homepage: http://www.wanderway.com/
Date Sent to FFML: Mar 4, 2000 and Mar 7, 2000
Archive Number: 7511 (from Mar 4, 2000)
Size: 41 K
Series Summary:
A Ranmaesque curse befalls a lad in a different land, in a different
century. Ramon Caballo, known to his friends as 'Macho', falls into
sacred hot springs and now turns into a girl when splashed with hot
water. Accompanied by his friends, he has gone into the frontier to
find a sister who was raised by Apaches.
Chapter Summary:
Ramon has found his sister (who knows him as Machita), and they are
both scheduled to be married - to cowboys. However, he is not
worrying about that - he has a race to win. The local shamans are
attempting to get Ramon ready to face a sorcerer, Will Larribee is
about to be punished for stealing a horse, and Sweetcorn is trying to
organize a wedding or two. Another step on the journey to power,
trials, betrayal, ambush, monster attacks, and double weddings.
Review:
It's been a long time, but this baby still has it's shine. Probably one of
the best Original, or semi-Original if you prefer, fic on the FFML right
now. It's only competition in my heart is Homerick's Missy Foxglove
and, of course, the new SKJAM! fic Fireworks season. The quality of the
series has been beautifully maintained for...how long has it been... at least
three years, right ?
A must read. And trust me, you'll enjoy it.
* * * * *
[Patlabor]
- - - - -
Title: Patlabor: Personal Files
Chapter: Episode 14: A Meeting With The Wolf
Series: Patlabor
Genre: Episodic (Changes each episode)
Author: David A. Tatum
Email: desaix@sysnet.net
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/7872/fanfics.htm
Archived At: To be archived at above soon...
Date Sent to FFML: March 08, 2000
FFML Archive Number: 7583
Series Summary:
A series which fills in the story between the end of the last episode
of the New Files OAV and the end of the Movie 2, plus a little
resolution that the movie failed to provide
Episode Summary:
An unusual theft from Shinohara Industries has brought in some of the
members of the second section to investigate- namely, Noa and
Asuma. Instead of helping the investigation, though, they're
appropriated by Asuma's father for a little tete-a-tete.
- - - - -
Title: Patlabor: Personal Files
Chapter: Episode 15: Haunted Love
Series: Patlabor
Genre: Episodic (changes with each episode)
Author: David A. Tatum
Email: desaix@sysnet.net
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/7872/fanfics.htm
Archived at: (will be located at above at some future point)
Date Sent to FFML: 3/10/00
Archive Number: 7681
Series Summary:
A series which fills in the story between the end of the last episode
of the New Files OAV and the end of the Movie 2, plus a little
resolution that the movie failed to provide
Chapter Summary:
This Episode: The Shinohara's Ex-girlfriend from high school, Kashima,
shows up after he gets a little nervous and cuts things off rather
abruptly when he and Noa are getting a little romantic. Why is he so
nervous, and why did she decide to show up now?
Review:
More of David Tatum's well written series. You know, I noticed this is
probably one of the biggest pure Patlabor fic I've ever read. And I like
it ! Keep up the good work and I'm still waiting for Tylor's Fury ! ^_^
* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2]
- - - - -
Title: Code of Honor
Chapter: 4
Series: Ranma
Genre: Drama
Author: TKHM
Email: tkhm@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/pier/878/
Date Sent to FFML: 3/08/00
Size: 35kb
Series Summary:
Kunou's past is slowly revealed. Is he willing to face his enemies or
is he going to continue his fantasy?
Episode Summary:
While Doctor Tofu is treating Shiori's injuries, Ranma is feeling
guilty for what has happened. Meanwhile Akane finally realizes she has
seriously injured the girl. Then, out of nowhere, a ninja attacks
Kunou. This ninja is no Ryouga, as he would use any possible way to
achieve his goal, including attacking the unconscious Shiori in the
nurse office of Furinkan High.
Review:
First, I've read the preceding chapter. And my opinion is you're writing
Homicidal Psycho Akane, a mistake most Ranma writers make, not only
that Clueless Idiot Akane, too. You're obviously biased. My opinion is
rewrite a few parts and reorganize plot. The fic is incredibly well-written
but the few flaws are what an old professor calls "fatal flaws". They can
seriously imperil reader attention and sympathy. Also please learn to use
contractions and try to write dialogue with a more realistic tone. Ranma,
of all people, doesn't care for good grammar and has peculiar poor
man's speech tics. ^_^ Get a prereader. A good one. Or if you have one
already, get another one, with a better handle on the English language
than the both of you.
Other than that, young man/lady, you've maka a damn good fic writer with
a bit more polish. And try to fix your formatting. Please. It hurts a lot. ^_^
- - - - -
Title: A Kiss to the Victor
Chapter: chapter 4
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: romantic/comedy/drama
Author: June (Karaohki) Geraci and David (Fido) Lindquist
Email: [karaohki@snet.net]) and [fido@rma.edu]
Homepage: www.karaohki.com
Archived At: www.karaohki.com
Date Sent to FFML: Saturday March 11 9:02 pm
Size:46k
Series Summary:
What if Ranma had kissed Akane during the Romeo and Juliet play?
Episode Summary:
Ranma and Ryoga search for the Japanese Nanniichuan leads him to the
girls locker room and Akane! Will Ranma sacrifice his growing
relationship with her for a chance at the cure? Also, Nabiki gets
closer to figuring out what's going on and Ryoga and Ranma have a
talk.
Review:
Very good fic. A pretty above average Ranma fic. Keep up the good work.
- - - - -
Title: Moment in Time
Series: Ranma 1/2
Genre: shortfic, WAFF
Author: C Morgan
Email: gally@cs.utexas.edu
Archived At: http://www.angelfire.com/anime/spacepiratesguild/
Date Sent to FFML: 3.8.2000
Size: 7k
Summary:
Heat, twilight and tea/A stolen harmony with/A cat that isn't.
Review:
Eyng ! Can't find. My Archives don't have it, so sorry.
- - - - -
Title: Old Friends
Series: Ranma / Crossover
Genre: Spamfic
Author: Angus MacSpon
Email: macspon@ihug.co.nz, macspon@mac.com
Homepage: http://shell.ihug.co.nz/~macspon/fanfic/
Archived At: http://shell.ihug.co.nz/~macspon/fanfic/
Date Sent to FFML: 9 March 2000
Size: 2K
Summary:
Revealing that Kasumi had a somewhat wild past, wherein she was
associated with some unconventional ... associates.
Review:
Weird. Besides didn't she have three other sisters ? Or maybe it's
some weird Alice in Wonderland thing.
- - - - -
Title: The Seppuku that Wasn't
Series: Ranma
Genre: Comedy
Author: Kevin D. Hammel
Email: kevinsff@pacbell.net
Homepage: http://www.anime.sobhrach.com/~khammel/
Date Sent to FFML: Tue, 07 Mar 2000
Archive Number: 7567
Size: 7 KB
Summary:
This is a story based on DF Roeder's: "The Prank That Wasn't". It does
NOT fit into the established continuity and is thus a 'spamfic'. The
original story is at: http://home.flash.net/~dfroeder/prank.html .
Akane is gone, so Ranma prepares to spend the day lazing atop a fence
at the Tendou home in her new 'bad girl' mode . The katana-bearing
woman who has berated her before does so again. The two have a
confrontation. It turns out the woman is Ranma's mom. Nabiki figures
out a way to resolve everything short of seppuku (thankfully off
screen).
Review:
Nice little spamfic. Funny.
* * * * *
[Ranma 1/2 / Battletech]
- - - - -
Title: The Saotome Gambit Part 6
Series: Ranma 1/2 - Battletech
Genre: Fusion
Author: J. Austin Wilde
Email: wildeman@psn.net
Homepage: http://www.psn.net/~wildeman/
Archived At: http://www.psn.net/~wildeman/TSG-6.txt
Date Sent to FFML: 7 March 2000
Size: 91K
Series Summary:
A Ranma 1/2 - Battletech fusion pitting the might of the Furinkan
Combine, the League of Five Nails, and the Jusenkyo Commonwealth
against the beleaguered Nerima Confederation. The only hope for the
Tendo family lies in the hands of two Dispossessed mechwarriors named
Saotome.
Episode Summary:
In this installment we find the Saotomes finally getting underway on
their quest for Ryuugenzawa, Nabiki once again selling out her family,
Mousse and General Herb getting a taste of the Jusenkyo Labs, Ryouga
wishing he was somewhere else, and Kodachi pulling a fast one on her
brother.
Review:
One of the Ranma fics I never tire from reading and probably one of the
best Ranma fusion and Battletech fic I have ever read. Churn this out
faster, Jamie. I can't wait for the slambang ending that's your trademark. ^_^
* * * * *
[Rurouni Kenshin]
- - - - -
Title: Desires of the Heart (Kokoro no Nozomi)
Chapter: One
Series: Rurouni Kenshin (*not* Samurai X - bleagh!) ;-)
Genre: Fantasy Alt. Universe
Author: Kitsune
Email: hitokiri_battousai_@email.com
Archived At: http://www.akane.org/kenshin/library
Date Sent to FFML: 3/10/2000
Size: 24 K
Series Summary:
A smitten fox spirit follows an unknowing Kenshin throughout his life,
until...
Episode Summary:
Nine year old Shinta decides not to drown himself. Nozomi has a
confrontation with her three-tailed sister. Shinta has his strange
dream interpreted for him by a fellow slave.
Review:
Once again, an incredible work by an incredible new writer. And it
seems my little prediction's coming true. This kid _is_ going to be
the next Krista Perry. ^_^ Keep up the good work and churn it out.
And Krista better watch out for the competition. ^_^
* * * * *
[Sailor Moon]
- - - - -
Title: The Prophecy of Saturn
Series: Sailor Moon
Genre: Prospective
Author: Dark Alpha
Email: AlphSailor@aol.com
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Bay/7233/
Date Sent to FFML: 03.11.00
Archive Number: 7707
Size: 7234 bytes (7k)
Summary: Sailor Saturn inherits the Prophecy, and it is up to her to
fulfill it.
Review:
A very good fic. But don't you have any other works ? Your style is pretty
good and you're better off going for a series or a work of say 100+ kb
in length. Anyway, keep up the good work.
* * * * *
[Sailor Moon / Yoroiden Samurai Troopers]
- - - - -
Title: Ronin Summer V: Flashbacks
Chapter: Chapter Two: Walking A Mile
Genre: cross-over
Author: Morgan Hudson
Email: dataraven_659@excite.com
Homepage: http://dataraven_659.tripod.com/roninsummer.html
Date Sent to FFML: March 7, 2000
Size: 27 KB
Series Summary:
Seiji Date and Minako Aino begin to suffer from constant and
mysterious headaches with a nasty side-effect. Now, trapped in each
other's bodies, they have to trust Artemis and Luna to psychically set
things straight by reliving their prior lives in the Moon Kingdom.
Chapter Summary:
Minako Aino and Seiji Date are forced to spend the rest of the day in
each other's bodies. Minako has a slight problem playing matchmaker
for a lovesick Masho, and when Seiji Date finds himself forced to
perform ballet in Minako's place, will his desire to win for her
overcome his unwillingness to enter the change room?
- - - - -
Title: Ronin Summer V: Flashbacks
Chapter: Chapter Three: Fly Me To The Moon
Genre: cross-over
Author: Morgan Hudson
Email: dataraven_659@excite.com
Homepage: http://dataraven_659.tripod.com/roninsummer.html
Date Sent to FFML: March 7, 2000
Size: 29 KB
Series Summary:
Seiji Date and Minako Aino begin to suffer from constant and
mysterious headaches with a nasty side-effect. Now, trapped in each
other's bodies, they have to trust Artemis and Luna to psychically set
things straight by reliving their prior lives in the Moon Kingdom.
Chapter Summary:
Minako and Seiji agree to the cats' idea to psychically send them back
to relive their lives in the Moon Kingdom in the hope that it will
allow their psychic link to stabilize and put them back in the right
bodies. Over one thousand years ago, a court scribe named Sage
stumbles upon a Dark Kingdom plot and is confroted by a mysterious man
in a mask, armed with a deck of cards...
Fortunately, there are several rather familiar faces around to help
him!
- - - - -
Title: Ronin Summer V: Flashbacks
Chapter: Chapter Four: A Game Of Pickup
Genre: cross-over
Author: Morgan Hudson
Email: dataraven_659@excite.com
Homepage: http://dataraven_659.tripod.com/roninsummer.html
Date Sent to FFML: March 7, 2000
Size: 29 KB
Series Summary:
Seiji Date and Minako Aino begin to suffer from constant and
mysterious headaches with a nasty side-effect. Now, trapped in each
other's bodies, they have to trust Artemis and Luna to psychically set
things straight by reliving their prior lives in the Moon Kingdom.
Chapter Summary:
Back in the Moon Kingdom, Sage must scramble to find the Five of
Swords, and successfully tracks down the Knaves of Hearts, Swords, and
Clubs. Meanwhile, the Princess of Mars and her brother Ken arrive in
Serenity's court, with a tragic tale.
Review:
A very good fic. But still, Yoroiden isn't exactly me forte. But the SM bits are
pure vintage goodness ! I love them a lot and I say keep up the good work,
even if I still get lost with the Yoroiden parts !
* * * * *
[Series not given]
- - - - -
Title: Guardian Knights
Chapter: Prologue
Series: Guess the Series
Genre: Alternate Universe, Fusion, Humour
Author: Delusion of Reality
Email: delusion@galaxy.plethora.net
Archived At: http://galaxy.plethora.net/fiction/fusion/guardian_knight.prologue.html
Date Sent to FFML: March 08, 2000
FFML Archive Number:
Size: 20K
Series Summary:
Little enough of magic exists on Earth, but all it could take is one
step taken differently, and the mundane could stumble over the
magical, making the realms of magic deal with earth in a much
different way.
Episode Summary:
The way has been opened, the gauntlet has been tossed, and the call to
those with ties to both sides of the world has been sounded. Who will
answer the call?
Review:
Guessing games ? Anyway, fine fic. Kinda like a Mage-based future
history I wrote. Very cool. Anyway, I'm on the ropes, young man.
But can you deliver ?
* * * * *
[Tenchi Muyou!]
- - - - -
Title: Vacation Days chapter 10
Series: Tenchi Muyo!
Genre: Original flavor
Author: D.B. Sommer
Email: sommer@3rdm.net
Homepage: http://angcobra.jumpfun.com/dbsommer.html
Date Sent to FFML: 3/11/00
Summary:
The aftermath of the battle with Stargrave and Malgaunt is dealt with
as teh Juraian Security Directorate takes a hand in matters.
Review:
The final part of Vacation Days, it does a nice job of tying up a few loose
ends. The ending at the nudist beach was hilarious and has the Sommer
trademark stamped all over it.
Now, more insanity ! Shampoo 1/2 needs another 60 or so chapters, ending
with another really big explosion ! ^_^
SLR ADDENDA ARTICLES
STYLE with Elsa Bibat
Welcome to another new article for the addenda section of the SLR !
I'm Elsa Bibat and I'm going to teach you -
<WHAPOW><QUICK DRESS CHANGE><WHAPOW>
<Elsa Bibat in a slinky violet dress with glitters in her eyes and hair and
a spotlight on her position>
STYLE !!!!!!!!
What is Style for a writer ?
Style is his trademark, it's his particular way of telling a story and
setting it up. An author's style is his distinctive "sound", for an
analogy, there can be only one Beatle and only one John Walter
Biles-sama. A veteran writer already has a set style and no matter
how he or she hides it with a pseudonym, his/her "sound" still comes
through.
For a beginning writer, the development of style is important. It sets
his literary path for him, so to speak. Because style can only be
honed by constant practice and constant observation.
A writer's style is what works for the sort of stories he writes. An
example is John Biles' rather half-serious/half comedic writing. No
matter what fic Biles-sama writes, there is always a dash of humor
somewhere and there is also a dash of Christian thought, if you are
sharp enough. His works are littered with references to C.S. Lewis
and religious thought. It is quite appropriate to compare him to C.S.
Lewis since Mr. Lewis is probably the closest in style to him in the
"real" literary world. But they are not the same, Biles-sama has a bit
of a lime twist added to his particular cocktail while Lewis has a
literary equivalent of a little umbrella on the glass. And of course, Biles
is a lot more subtle with his moralizing. ^_^
Biles-sama's style is a reflection of his education and reading
experience. Also it is appropriate for the fics that he writes: epics that
need that light touch once in a while.
And that is what a writer aims for, a style that works for his stories.
A new writer should read continually, both others works and his/her
own. Why ? To see the flaws. To see the strengths. Distill the strengths.
Borrow from others to shore up the weaknesses.
Want to see style at work ?
If you are lucky enough to have early copies of D.B. Sommer's work on
Shampoo 1/2, you might note that it's in script. And sorry to say, bad.
But read everything in logical progression, one to forty three or foty five,
I forget , and you see the actual progress of his style. When he ditched
the script format for prose, notice the exponential rise of the
entertainment value of the fic ? A new author usually has to find his
stride, then it's up all the way.
Develop you style. That's the best thing you can ever do for your writing
on the FFML.
That, of course, and _actually_ learning English grammar. ^_^;;;;
BOOKS TO READ
The books to read this week are a part of American literary history.
Actually more like, American pop culture. They're the pulps and one
special pulp in particular:
THE SHADOW !!!
In the 1930's readers were thrilled by the amazing adventures of the
Master Of Darkness, The Shadow. With his brace of automatics, black
cloak and slouch hat, he terrorized the elements of crime, waging a
one-man war against Evil, with a capital E. Shiwan Khan, Dr. Rodil,
The Wasp, The Prince Of Evil, Cyro, The Cobra, The Vindicator, the
Time Master, all have fallen under the blazing guns and eyes of that
unstoppable warrior of Justice, with a capital J.
Forget the radio serials. Forget that, though nicely made, movie.
The only true Shadow lurks in the pages of the pulps, with his
dependable allies: Harry Vincent, plucked from edge of death
by the hand of the Shadow himself, Clyde Burke, reporter for
the New York Classic, and secretly, agent of the Shadow,
Hawkeye and Cliff Marsland, supposed criminals, but actually,
the Shadow's most useful agents in the badlands of the
underworld, Moe Shrevnitz, the best cabbie in New York, ready
to transport the master crimefighter to whatever field of battle,
Margo Lane, socialite in high society and one of the Shadow's
agents, Burbank, the contact man, the center of the Shadow's
web of informants and coordinator of his master's efforts
against Crime, with a capital C.
The Shadow pulps are, in my opinion, one of the bests
examples of the pulp genre, along with Doc Savage, The
Avenger and The Spider. I got hooked when I read one of
my Grannie's old copy of "The Stars Promise Death" and
then I just went off. Though I do have a few copies, the only
way I could ever complete it was via the Internet. Specifically,
The Shadow Pulps website at:
http://www.spaceports.com/~deshadow/
They have an incredible archive of dowloadable Shadow pulps.
Download one of the later books for a taste. Or follow Harry
Vincent from lowly agent to the Shadow's trusted once-in-a-while
substitute, by starting with the first book, The Living Shadow.
Why read the Shadow pulps ? Well, first, they're damn good.
These works were the equivalent of today's comics, though
without the story arcs, though there were a few story arcs in
the Shadow series, and without the stunning visuals of today's
artists. But the images still give a kick: The Shadow's guns
blazing as he faces insurmountable odds, his masterful
disappearances into the shadows, not the radio serials
insistence of hypnotism, the girasol, shifting colors from red
to lavender to blue.
Mr. Gibson's incredible ability to evoke these images is
something to learn from, also his incredible battle choreography.
Gibson can belieavably tell us every second of the Shadow's
pulse-pounding battles against master criminals. The plot twists,
the verbal play and the incredible energy found in this work is
something I want to see in fanfics.
Want to find out how to recreate a John Woo style gun battle in
words, with the visual punch ? Read the Shadow pulps.
Want to find out how to evoke vivid descriptions and exotic
locales ? Read the Shadow pulps.
Want a ripping good time ? Read the Shadow pulps !
Now go ! ^_^